Director, Special Education & Student Services
Young World Physical Education, Wise, VA, United States
Director, Special Education & Student Services
Wise County School District CENTRAL OFFICE - Wise, Virginia
Job Details Job ID:
5646062
Application Deadline:
Apr 29, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted:
Yesterday
Starting Date:
To Be Determined
Job Description Reports to:
Superintendent
Qualifications:
Professional License
in general education, special education or a related field and/or endorsements in special education and Postgraduate Professional License in Administration & Supervision.
Current comprehensive knowledge of the principles and best practices in school administration and current educational trends as applied to the special education population; comprehensive knowledge of current procedures and effective practices of a variety of special education services.
Significant, current successful experience as a special education coordinator or administrator and successful experience in leadership and management of staff and operations in a central office position; current successful experience in program development and evaluation and systems approach to capacity building for program implementation.
Strong knowledge and significant experience in systems change practices in a rural school division; Strong knowledge and proven application of the IDEIA and Virginia regulations; current knowledge and proven experience with Virginia dispute resolution process and proven expertise in mediation and conflict resolution with parents, staff and families.
Strong problem‑solving, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated experience in collaborative teamwork and large scale professional development and program implementation; excellent oral and written communication skills; strong ability to organize, analyze and display data in several reporting formats; strong oral presentation skills.
Successful experience implementing strategic program goals with demonstrated results/outcomes; strong ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion within tight timelines; demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze data and inform practice through collaborative and data‑based decisions.
Current experience in developing and tracking a large and comprehensive budget.
Department Overview
The Department of Special Education & Student Services focuses on prevention and intervention approaches in the schools and is committed to ensure safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. The department supports student performance through special education and related services, health, social work, student assistance, attendance, homebound, assessment, diagnostic, psychological and parent resource services. The Department includes the following teams: Diagnostic Services, Health Services, Assessment Services, Special Education & Related Services, Homebound Services, and Student Support Services.
Position Overview
The Director of Special Education is a Division leader responsible for the strategic direction, organization, development and implementation of high quality specialized services for students with disabilities in all WCPS schools and related professional development for staff.
Roles and Responsibilities
The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate:
Supervises and evaluates activities of special education staff including strategic planning and coordination of respective areas and ensures accountability for program implementation for students with disabilities, staff support and compliance with regulations and procedures.
Interprets federal, state and local laws, regulations and procedures related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and the Code of Virginia; provides guidance and support to school administrators and direction to staff regarding the implementation of federal and state regulations; ensures accountability for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Provides oversight and strategic direction for special education program development and related professional development for school staff on effective practices with an instructional focus and the accurate implementation of the IDEIA; engages in strategic planning of program goals and the budget for the Office of Special Education & Student Services related grants and administers the budgets of assigned areas; responsible for staffing projections and staffing allocations to individual schools in accordance with staffing standards, fiscal allocations and program efficiencies.
Analyzes data regarding student performance, staffing, enrollment growth and other important trends regarding students with disabilities; creates comprehensive reports/analyses for the Superintendent, Special Education Advisory Committee, and School Board with relevant data; develops, implements and monitors a data‑based continuous improvement plan for improving student achievement for students with disabilities.
Conducts staff meetings and works with special education and student services staff to coordinate program activities related to responsibilities for students, parents and school staff; coordinates services and cross‑functional teams with other offices within Student Services and the Departments of Instruction, Personnel and Support Services; assists in the interview process of new personnel; conducts short‑term and long‑range strategic planning; approves and monitors contracted services agreements; responds to requests for information from the public.
Collaborates with parents, administrators and school division staff to address issues related to students with disabilities; participates in the Special Education Advisory Committee meetings; attends School Board meetings and prepares such reports for the Board and the Virginia Department of Education, as requested; coordinates grant applications relevant to special education and pursues grant funding for special projects.
Position Type:
Full-Time
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Details Job ID:
5646062
Application Deadline:
Apr 29, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted:
Yesterday
Starting Date:
To Be Determined
Job Description Reports to:
Superintendent
Qualifications:
Professional License
in general education, special education or a related field and/or endorsements in special education and Postgraduate Professional License in Administration & Supervision.
Current comprehensive knowledge of the principles and best practices in school administration and current educational trends as applied to the special education population; comprehensive knowledge of current procedures and effective practices of a variety of special education services.
Significant, current successful experience as a special education coordinator or administrator and successful experience in leadership and management of staff and operations in a central office position; current successful experience in program development and evaluation and systems approach to capacity building for program implementation.
Strong knowledge and significant experience in systems change practices in a rural school division; Strong knowledge and proven application of the IDEIA and Virginia regulations; current knowledge and proven experience with Virginia dispute resolution process and proven expertise in mediation and conflict resolution with parents, staff and families.
Strong problem‑solving, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated experience in collaborative teamwork and large scale professional development and program implementation; excellent oral and written communication skills; strong ability to organize, analyze and display data in several reporting formats; strong oral presentation skills.
Successful experience implementing strategic program goals with demonstrated results/outcomes; strong ability to manage multiple projects from concept to completion within tight timelines; demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze data and inform practice through collaborative and data‑based decisions.
Current experience in developing and tracking a large and comprehensive budget.
Department Overview
The Department of Special Education & Student Services focuses on prevention and intervention approaches in the schools and is committed to ensure safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. The department supports student performance through special education and related services, health, social work, student assistance, attendance, homebound, assessment, diagnostic, psychological and parent resource services. The Department includes the following teams: Diagnostic Services, Health Services, Assessment Services, Special Education & Related Services, Homebound Services, and Student Support Services.
Position Overview
The Director of Special Education is a Division leader responsible for the strategic direction, organization, development and implementation of high quality specialized services for students with disabilities in all WCPS schools and related professional development for staff.
Roles and Responsibilities
The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate:
Supervises and evaluates activities of special education staff including strategic planning and coordination of respective areas and ensures accountability for program implementation for students with disabilities, staff support and compliance with regulations and procedures.
Interprets federal, state and local laws, regulations and procedures related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and the Code of Virginia; provides guidance and support to school administrators and direction to staff regarding the implementation of federal and state regulations; ensures accountability for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Provides oversight and strategic direction for special education program development and related professional development for school staff on effective practices with an instructional focus and the accurate implementation of the IDEIA; engages in strategic planning of program goals and the budget for the Office of Special Education & Student Services related grants and administers the budgets of assigned areas; responsible for staffing projections and staffing allocations to individual schools in accordance with staffing standards, fiscal allocations and program efficiencies.
Analyzes data regarding student performance, staffing, enrollment growth and other important trends regarding students with disabilities; creates comprehensive reports/analyses for the Superintendent, Special Education Advisory Committee, and School Board with relevant data; develops, implements and monitors a data‑based continuous improvement plan for improving student achievement for students with disabilities.
Conducts staff meetings and works with special education and student services staff to coordinate program activities related to responsibilities for students, parents and school staff; coordinates services and cross‑functional teams with other offices within Student Services and the Departments of Instruction, Personnel and Support Services; assists in the interview process of new personnel; conducts short‑term and long‑range strategic planning; approves and monitors contracted services agreements; responds to requests for information from the public.
Collaborates with parents, administrators and school division staff to address issues related to students with disabilities; participates in the Special Education Advisory Committee meetings; attends School Board meetings and prepares such reports for the Board and the Virginia Department of Education, as requested; coordinates grant applications relevant to special education and pursues grant funding for special projects.
Position Type:
Full-Time
#J-18808-Ljbffr